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Dreamweaver's Dilemma is the NESFA Press collection of Lois McMaster Bujold's early shorter work, published in 1996. The volume includes the novella that became part of the Vorkosigan-universe back-story, some standalone SF stories, a few pieces of straight literary fiction, and Bujold's own essays about her writing career to date.
The early Vorkosigan piece is the obvious draw. The novella shows Bujold finding the voice she would later put to work in Falling Free and Shards of Honor. The standalone stories are uneven; the literary pieces are more interesting than the SF ones at this stage.
The essays are the unexpected pleasure. Bujold is a thoughtful self-critic and a clear writer about the form. The essays in this volume include some of her earliest published commentary on her own work.
Three stars. Recommended only to Bujold completists. New readers should start with The Warrior's Apprentice or The Curse of Chalion.
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Bujold's 1992 Italian Renaissance fantasy. Magic, metallurgy, and a heroine whose hands are her best weapon.
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